4.5 Stars
The dangerous thing about Liquid and Ash was the way the author created a story that popped off the page, grabbed your attention, and didn't let go until you were an emotional mess... much like it did with me.
Going into this book, I didn't really know what this book was about because the blurb was pretty vague. The only thing I really got was that there was a woman who hardened her heart and some guy named Derek might get her to love again, maybe...
Yah, kind of. This book was told from the perspective of Penelope, a woman who's marriage is falling apart and who's husband is cheating on her. She gave up finishing her education to marry this marine who started off caring for her, but life has gotten in the way and now the two are barely speaking and he is off cheating with another women. So basically, this book starts off with Penelope at the lowest low and builds up from their with her working on her life and doing things that she never got to do because of her husband.
"My life as a series of moments where I'd waited."I actually really liked how vague the blurb was after getting past the first few chapters because I didn't know what to expect so I got to learn about the characters and their situation from them, and not from the novel summary. So while I was a little confused at first about what exactly was going on, it was worth it to have this kind of unbiased opinion going into the novel and allowing myself to see where the story went without forming a guess of how the story would end. Usually, I am able to kind of guess how the novel ends and some of the drama just by reading a book's blurb. This often colors what I think of the book and if I think I will like it, so while frustrating to go into Liquid and Ash blind, it actually really helped my rating and overall understanding of the novel.
Penelope is one of those characters that grows on you throughout the novel. The book started with her being at a really low point in her life, which makes it difficult to really like her because she comes off as weak, which isn't something readers normally want in their main character. Yet as the novel continues, Penelope grows into a woman who is sure of herself and is able to make the hard decisions that she avoided at the beginning of the novel. It's this growth in Penelope which made her character relatable, humanized and perfect for this story which reflects often on redemption from the heartbreak of the past. By the end of the book Penelope was the kind of character that any reader would cheer on and find parts of themselves in.
"Do you think love is like a flame? Just burning through everything until it finally dies out?"
I wasn't sure what kind of novel this was so I wasn't sure which guy I should root for... Derek or Brandon? I'm the reader who doesn't like to be disappointed in terms of triangle romances so I like to know which guy is the one who the main character will end up with. In this case, because I went into the novel blind, I wasn't sure which guy she would end up with. Is this the story where the female lead is tempted away from her true love yet decides to try and make the relationship she already has work, or is this the novel where the female lead lets go of her past relationship and moves on with a new love? I'm not going to say which book this story tells but I was happy with the way the romance of the story played out and I felt like there wasn't as much of a love triangle as it may first seem.
While this book is pretty straightforward, there were a lot of surprises that I wasn't expecting so when I got to them it felt like a punch to the gut. I mean, there are some major curve-balls thrown into this novel that just took me by such surprise but I absolutely loved! Without these major plot twists, this book definitely would not have reached the five star range because I would have been upset with some of the decisions of Penelope and her friends.
On an ending note, I have to say that I'm not a big fan of drug use in novels unless there is a recovery process going on, and that is definitely not in this novel. So the drug thing kind of knocked this book down closer to the four star range just because I'm personally not a fan, but I don't think this aspect of the book was "throw it in your face" kind of thing, instead it was really casually inserted and not really a big deal within the novel. Otherwise, this book definitely packed a punch and I am really interested to see where the author will go from here in terms of a next novel in the series of about other characters in this book!
"Love is liquid. It never dies. It never goes away. Sometimes, it just changes direction. And, sometimes if it's strong enough... it can make time stand still."
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Publisher: E.M. Abel
Publication Date: March 1, 2016
Print Length: 378 pages
In the light of the truth, no one can hide.
Derek had ignited a spark inside of my heart, a hope for a love I never expected to find. However, our connection lacked the substance it needed to burn. Weakened with resentment, our relationship crumbled under deception, slowly dissolving into ash.
I had sacrificed myself for him and paid the price.
By the time Brandon entered into my life, the longing in my heart had turned cold. But fate was not done with me. His crystal blue eyes and fluid touch revived a wish that had been frozen in time. He gave me hope once again.
Hope is a dangerous thing, especially when you dare to dream.
**WARNING: This book contains adult content and drug use.
